Prognostic value of pulmonary dead space in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome

Crit Care. 2011;15(5):185. doi: 10.1186/cc10346. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Abstract

A study published in the previous issue of Critical Care demonstrates that measurement of the pulmonary dead-space fraction is superior to hypoxemia as an indicator of a favorable physiologic response to prone positioning in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. These results add to the growing evidence supporting the clinical and research value of measuring pulmonary dead space in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and using this pulmonary physiologic end-point as one indicator of a favorable response to therapy.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide / blood*
  • Humans
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods*
  • Prone Position / physiology*
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / physiopathology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide